The_Complete_Idiot%27s_Guide_To_Music_Theory

The Complete Idiot’s
Music Glossary
A
Appendix
a cappella Vocal music, without instrumental accompaniment.
a tempo Return to the previous tempo.
accelerando Gradually speed up. (Abbreviated as accel.)
accent A note played louder or with more emphasis than regular notes.
accidental A marking used to raise and lower the indicated pitch. Sharps raise
the note a half step, flats lower the note a half step, and naturals return the note
to the original pitch.
adagietto
adagio.
Tempo marking for a moderately slow tempo, slightly faster than
adagio Tempo marking for a moderately slow tempo.
adante Tempo marking for a moderate, walking tempo.
adantino Tempo marking for a moderate tempo, slightly faster than adante.
Aeolian mode A mode starting on the sixth degree of the corresponding major
scale, equivalent to the natural minor scale. See minor and mode.
allegretto
allegro.
Tempo marking for a moderately fast tempo, not quite as fast as
allegro Tempo marking for a fast, cheerful tempo.
altered bass chord A chord with some note other than the root in the bass.
The altered bass note is typically notated after a slash, like this: Am7/D.
alto clef A clef, used primarily by the viola, that places middle C on the middle
line of the staff.
alto voice The lowest female voice.
arpeggio A chord that is broken up and played one note at a time.
articulation The manner in which notes are struck, sustained, and released.
One indicates articulation by the use of markings such as legato, staccato,
tenuto, and so on.